plasma bubble sail concept

Subject: Magnetic bubbles in space: A new propulsion concept? (Forwarded)
From: Andrew Yee A
"ayee@nov a.astro.utoronto.ca/A
Date: Mon, Jan 5, 2004 9:07 PM
Message-id:

University of Alabama in Huntsville

For more information:
Ray Garner, (256) 824-NEWS

1/1/2004

Magnetic bubbles in space: A new propulsion concept?

Exploration of deep space requires new propulsion technologies that not only
reduce travel time, but are cost effective and safe as well.

One such proposed technology being developed at The University of Alabama in
Huntsville is based on the concept of a sail pushed along by space plasma.

The basic ingredients of a plasma sail are a magnetic solenoid and a plasma
machine aboard a spacecraft. The plasma machine must be capable of releasing a
dense and warm plasma cloud. As the cloud expands, the magnetic field lines
generated by the solenoid stretch out because of the diamagnetic nature of the
plasma. This stretching creates a magnetic bubble, or balloon.

Research reveals that available plasma technologies can stretch the "balloon"
to
distances of several tens of kilometers, according to UAH Professor Dr.
Nagendra
Singh. "When this bubble intercepts the solar wind, which is a fast stream of
plasma coming from the Sun and permeates all over deep space, a propulsive
force
acts on the spacecraft in a manner similar to the common sail," he said.

Singh is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University
of
Alabama in Huntsville. This concept of a plasma sail is still in the initial
stages of development, according to Singh.

UAH researchers are developing a computer model to study the basic physics of
blowing the magnetic bubble as well as how the force acting on the spacecraft
to
the interaction of the solar wind with the blown magnetic bubble.

"Our modeling efforts include state-of-the-art, fully three-dimensional plasma
codes and electromagnetic codes to calculate the force," said Dr. Reza Adhami,
chairman of UAH's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

Singh said the blowing magnetic bubbles might have other applications in space
exploration. "Such bubbles can be used as protective shields for astronauts
against energetically charged particles commonly found in space," he said.